1 Timothy
Chapter 3
1 1 This saying is trustworthy: 2 whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task.
谁若向往监督的职分，是渴望一件善事：这话是确实的。
2 Therefore, a bishop must be irreproachable, married only once, temperate, self-controlled, decent, hospitable, able to teach,
那么，监督必须是无可指摘的，只作过一个妻子的丈夫，有节制，应慎重，端庄，好客，善于教导；
3 not a drunkard, not aggressive, but gentle, not contentious, not a lover of money.
不嗜酒，不暴戾，而应温良和善，不贪爱钱财，
4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with perfect dignity;
善于管理自己的家庭，使子女们服从，凡事端庄；
5 for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of the church of God?
谁若不知管理自己的家庭，如何能照管天主的教会？
6 He should not be a recent convert, so that he may not become conceited and thus incur the devil's punishment. 3
不可是新奉教的，怕他妄自尊大，而陷于魔鬼所受的判决，
7 He must also have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, the devil's trap.
并且在外人中也必须有好声望，怕他遭人诽谤，落入魔鬼的罗网。
8 4 Similarly, deacons must be dignified, not deceitful, not addicted to drink, not greedy for sordid gain,
执事也必须端庄，不一口两舌，不饮酒过度，不贪赃；
9 holding fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
以纯洁的良心，保持信德的奥迹。
10 Moreover, they should be tested first; then, if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
这些人应当先受试验，如果无瑕可指，然后才能作执事。
11 Women, 5 similarly, should be dignified, not slanderers, but temperate and faithful in everything.
女人也必须端庄，不谗谤；有节制，凡事忠信。
12 Deacons may be married only once and must manage their children and their households well.
执事应当只作过一个妻子的丈夫，善于管理自己子女和家庭，
13 Thus those who serve well as deacons gain good standing and much confidence in their faith in Christ Jesus.
因为善于服务的，自可获得优越的品位，而大胆宣扬基督耶稣内的信仰。
14 6 I am writing you about these matters, although I hope to visit you soon.
我虽希望快到你那里去，但我仍把这些事写给你；
15 But if I should be delayed, you should know how to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of truth.
假使我迟迟不到，你可以知道在天主的家中应当如何行动；这家就是永生天主的教会，真理的柱石和基础。
16 Undeniably great is the mystery of devotion, Who 7 was manifested in the flesh, vindicated in the spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed to the Gentiles, believed in throughout the world, taken up in glory.
无不公认，这虔敬的奥迹是伟大的：就是他出现于肉身，受证于圣神，发显于天使，被传于异民，见信于普世，被接于光荣。
Footnotes(注解)
1 [1-7] The passage begins by commending those who aspire to the office of bishop (episkopos; see the note on Philippians 1:1) within the community, but this first sentence (1 Tim 3:1) may also imply a warning about the great responsibilities involved. The writer proceeds to list the qualifications required: personal stability and graciousness; talent for teaching (1 Tim 3:2); moderation in habits and temperament (1 Tim 3:3); managerial ability (1 Tim 3:4); and experience in Christian living (1 Tim 3:5-6). Moreover, the candidate's previous life should provide no grounds for the charge that he did not previously practice what he now preaches. No list of qualifications for presbyters appears in 1 Tim. The presbyter-bishops here and in Titus (see the note on Titus 1:5-9) lack certain functions reserved here for Paul and Timothy.
2 [1] This saying is trustworthy: the saying introduced is so unlike others after this phrase that some later Western manuscripts read, "This saying is popular." It is understood by some interpreters as concluding the preceding section (1 Tim 2:8-15). Bishop: literally, "overseer"; see the note on Philippians 1:1.
3 [6] The devil's punishment: this phrase could mean the punishment once incurred by the devil (objective genitive) or a punishment brought about by the devil (subjective genitive).
4 [8-13] Deacons, besides possessing the virtue of moderation (1 Tim 3:8), are to be outstanding for their faith (1 Tim 3:9) and well respected within the community (1 Tim 3:10). Women in the same role, although some interpreters take them to mean wives of deacons, must be dignified, temperate, dedicated, and not given to malicious talebearing (1 Tim 3:11). Deacons must have shown stability in marriage and have a good record with their families (1 Tim 3:12), for such experience prepares them well for the exercise of their ministry on behalf of the community (1 Tim 3:13). See further the note on Philippians 1:1.
5 [11] Women: this seems to refer to women deacons but may possibly mean wives of deacons. The former is preferred because the word is used absolutely; if deacons' wives were meant, a possessive "their" would be expected. Moreover, they are also introduced by the word "similarly," as in 1 Tim 3:8; this parallel suggests that they too exercised ecclesiastical functions.
6 [14-16] In case there is some delay in the visit to Timothy at Ephesus planned for the near future, the present letter is being sent on ahead to arm and enlighten him in his task of preserving sound Christian conduct in the Ephesian church. The care he must exercise over this community is required by the profound nature of Christianity. It centers in Christ, appearing in human flesh, vindicated by the holy Spirit; the mystery of his person was revealed to the angels, announced to the Gentiles, and accepted by them in faith. He himself was taken up (through his resurrection and ascension) to the divine glory (1 Tim 3:16). This passage apparently includes part of a liturgical hymn used among the Christian communities in and around Ephesus. It consists of three couplets in typical Hebrew balance: flesh-spirit (contrast), seen-proclaimed (complementary), world-glory (contrast).
7 [16] Who: the reference is to Christ, who is himself "the mystery of our devotion." Some predominantly Western manuscripts read "which," harmonizing the gender of the pronoun with that of the Greek word for mystery; many later (eighth/ninth century on), predominantly Byzantine manuscripts read "God," possibly for theological reasons.